Seal Beach shootings: 8 slain in O.C.'s deadliest mass killing

Oct. 12, 2011

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Two women react emotionally on arriving at the scene of a mass killing in Seal Beach Wednesday. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A white, middle-aged male was taken into custody by police about a half-mile from a business in Seal Beach where a lone gunman opened fire, leaving 8 people dead and one in critical condition Wednesday afternoon. ROSE PALMISANO, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Victims' family and friends gathered to console each other at The Mary Wilson Library and Seal Beach Community Center after Orange County's worst mass murder Wednesday in Seal Beach. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Victims' family and friends gathered to console each other at The Mary Wilson Library and Seal Beach Community Center after Orange County's worst mass murder Wednesday in Seal Beach. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Victims' family and friends gathered to console each other at The Mary Wilson Library and Seal Beach Community Center after Orange County's worst mass murder Wednesday in Seal Beach. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A man was taken into custody by Seal Beach police about a half-mile from a business where a gunman opened fire Wednesday afternoon. ROSE PALMISANO, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A roadside memorial has sprung up behind Salon Meritage along Marina Drive Wednesday night. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Orange County Coroner and police investigators go over the scene at the Salon Meritage in Seal Seal Beach, the scene of a multiple homicide Wednesday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Investigators stand out side the scene of a mass shooting in the 500 block Pacific Coast Highway Wednesday. Several bodies were reported to still be inside. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Sgt Steve Bowles of the Seal Beach Police Department says, "This could be one of our greatest tragedy and this has had a huge impact on our small community," during a late afternoon press conference near the scene of a deadly shooting in Seal Beach Wednesday. Eight people are confirmed dead and a ninth remains in critical condition. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The scene of a multiple homicide in Seal Beach Wednesday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Friends and family members gather outside the Seal Beach Public Library after a shooting occurred at a nearby hair salon resulting it eight deaths Wednesday afternoon. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Friends and family members gather outside the Seal Beach Public Library after a shooting occurred at a nearby hair salon resulting it eight deaths Wednesday afternoon. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Tammy Hetzel,owner of another local salon in Los Alamitos and Lydia Sosa, friends of shooting victims shot Wednesday afternoon, October 12 at the Salon Meritage in Seal Beach talk w2ith reporters on sidewalk on Pacific Coast Highway. RICHAARD KOEHLER, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Anthony Gonzales, owner of a Naples salon talks about his friends ,who were shot Wednesday afternoon, October 12 at the Salon Meritage in Seal Beach talk w2ith reporters on sidewalk on Pacific Coast Highway. RICHARD KOEHLER, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Friends and family members gather outside the Seal Beach Public Library after a shooting occurred at a nearby hair salon resulting it eight deaths Wednesday afternoon. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Friends and family members gather outside the Seal Beach Public Library after a shooting occurred at a nearby hair salon resulting it eight deaths Wednesday afternoon. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Friends and family members gather outside the Seal Beach Public Library after a shooting occurred at a nearby hair salon resulting it eight deaths Wednesday afternoon. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Friends and family members gather outside the Seal Beach Public Library after a shooting occurred at a nearby hair salon resulting it eight deaths Wednesday afternoon. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Friends and family members gather outside the Seal Beach Public Library after a shooting occurred at a nearby hair salon resulting it eight deaths Wednesday afternoon. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGSITER

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Friends and family members gather outside the Seal Beach Public Library after a shooting occurred at a nearby hair salon resulting it eight deaths Wednesday afternoon. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Friends and family members gather outside the Seal Beach Public Library after a shooting occurred at a nearby hair salon resulting it eight deaths Wednesday afternoon. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Friends and family members gather outside the Seal Beach Public Library after a shooting occurred at a nearby hair salon resulting it eight deaths Wednesday afternoon. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Body armor believed to belong to the suspected shooter lies on top of a police car at 11th and Central Avenue in Seal Beach. ROSE PALMISANO, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Sgt Steve Bowles of the Seal Beach Police Department says, "This could be one of our greatest tragedy and this has had a huge impact on our small community," during a late afternoon press conference near the scene of a deadly shooting in Seal Beach Wednesday. Eight people are confirmed dead and a ninth remains in critical condition. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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An Orange County Coroner communicates with crime scene investigators at the front door of Salon Meritage Wednesday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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An officer directs women leaving a business behind police lines away from the scene. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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An Orange County Coroner communicates with crime scene investigators at the front door of Salon Meritage Wednesday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A black Range Rover with its passenger side window blown out is towed away from Salon Meritage Wednesday night. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A black Range Rover with its passenger side window blown out is towed away from Salon Meritage Wednesday night. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

A police investigator wipes her brow while she investigates the scene of the multiple homicide at the Salon Meritage in Seal Beach Wednesday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Orange County Coroner and police investigators go over the scene at the Salon Meritage in Seal Seal Beach, the scene of a multiple homicide Wednesday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Orange County Coroner and police investigators go over the scene at the Salon Meritage in Seal Seal Beach, the scene of a multiple homicide Wednesday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Friends hug near the scene. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Sgt Steve Bowles of the Seal Beach Police Department says, "This could be one of our greatest tragedy and this has had a huge impact on our small community," during a late afternoon press conference near the scene of a deadly shooting in Seal Beach Wednesday. Eight people are confirmed dead and a ninth remains in critical condition. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A black Range Rover with its passenger side window blown out is towed away from Salon Meritage Wednesday night. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Two women react emotionally on arriving at the crime scene of a mass murder in Seal Beach Wednesday where eight people were killed. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A woman is comforted near the scene. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Two women react emotionally on arriving at the crime scene. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A roadside memorial has sprung up behind Salon Meritage along Marina Drive Wednesday night. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The suspects vehicle is seen parked about 1/2 mile from the scene of the shooting. where six people were killed and three were wounded in a shooting at a hair salon in Seal Beach, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011. The six deaths were confirmed and the other three victims were taken to a hospital in critical condition, police Sgt. Steve Bowles told The Associated Press. ASSOCIATED PRESS

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A distraught Livia Chiurzzi, who worked in another salon, runs to the arms of a friend near the scene of a multiple slaying in Seal Beach Wednesday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The scene of a multiple killing in Seal Beach on Wednesday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COU

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Friends console each other near the scene of a multiple homicide in Seal Beach Wednesday. Eight dead and one is in critical condition. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Bowles addresses the media. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The scene of a multiple homicide in Seal Beach Wednesday. Eight dead and one is in critical condition. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COU

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A woman reacts emotionally on arriving at the crime scene of a mass slaying in Seal Beach on Wednesday. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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An officer allows a vehicle to leave the perimeter of a mass shooting in Seal Beach Wednesday. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A man was taken into custody by police about a half-mile from a business where a gunman opened fire Wednesday afternoon. ROSE PALMISANO, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A roadside memorial has sprung up behind Salon Meritage along Marina Drive Wednesday night. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The scene of a multiple homicide in Seal Beach Wednesday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The scene of a multiple homicide in Seal Beach Wednesday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUUNTY REGISTER

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Officers examine the crime scene. The salon is in the background. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Sgt. Steve Bowles of the Seal Beach Police Department informs media of fatalities in the Salon shooting on PCH Wednesday. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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An officer secures a portion of the crime scene. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The scene of a multiple homicide in Seal Beach Wednesday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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An officer secures a portion of the crime. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Media and the public gather. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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An onlooker reacts near the site where eight people were killed and one was wounded in a shooting at a hair salon in Seal Beach, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011. The six deaths were confirmed and the other three victims were taken to a hospital in critical condition, police Sgt. Steve Bowles told The Associated Press. Salon Meritage in the 500 block of Pacific Coast Highway is shown in this photo shortly after a shooting took place in which six people are reported dead, three injured. AP Photo/Chris Carlson

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A white, middle-aged male was taken into custody by police about a half-mile from a business where a lone gunman opened fire, leaving 8 people dead and one in critical condition Wednesday afternoon. ROSE PALMISANO, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

A white, middle-aged male was taken into custody by police about a half-mile from a business where a lone gunman opened fire, leaving 8 people dead and one in critical condition Wednesday afternoon. ROSE PALMISANO, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Police search the suspected shooter vehicle at 11th and Central Avenue in Seal Beach Wednesday. Police believe the truck belongs to the the man suspected in one of Orange County mass shootings. ROSE PALMISANO, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A police officer talks to onlookers near the site where eight people were killed and one was wounded in a shooting at a hair salon in Seal Beach, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011. The six deaths were confirmed and the other three victims were taken to a hospital in critical condition, police Sgt. Steve Bowles told The Associated Press. Salon Meritage in the 500 block of Pacific Coast Highway is shown in this photo shortly after a shooting took place in which six people are reported dead, three injured. AP Photo/Chris Carlson

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Officers direct traffic away from the crime scene where eight were killed Wednesday in Seal Beach. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Investigators stand near the site where eight people were killed and one was wounded in a shooting at a hair salon in Seal Beach, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011. The six deaths were confirmed and the other three victims were taken to a hospital in critical condition, police Sgt. Steve Bowles told The Associated Press. Salon Meritage in the 500 block of Pacific Coast Highway is shown in this photo shortly after a shooting took place in which six people are reported dead, three injured. AP Photo/Chris Carlson

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Onlookers react near the site where eight people were killed and one was wounded in a shooting at a hair salon in Seal Beach, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011. The six deaths were confirmed and the other three victims were taken to a hospital in critical condition, police Sgt. Steve Bowles told The Associated Press.Salon Meritage in the 500 block of Pacific Coast Highway is shown in this photo shortly after a shooting took place in which six people are reported dead, three injured. AP Photo/Chris Carlson

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Onlookers react near the site were eight people were killed and one was wounded in a shooting at a hair salon in Seal Beach, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011. The six deaths were confirmed and the other three victims were taken to a hospital in critical condition, police Sgt. Steve Bowles told The Associated Press. Salon Meritage in the 500 block of Pacific Coast Highway is shown in this photo shortly after a shooting took place in which six people are reported dead, three injured. AP Photo/Chris Carlson

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Sgt. Steve Bowles of the Seal Beach Police Department, facing cameras, advised media of eight fatalities in the Salon shooting on PCH Wednesday. Officers and resources from numerous departments responded to the incident. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Salon Meritage in the 500 block of Pacific Coast Highway is shown in this photo shortly after a shooting took. Courtesy of KCAL 9 News

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A silver cross is left at the end of the driveway of the home owned by Scott Dekraai in Huntington Beach, Thursday morning, Oct. 13, 2011. Police identified Scott Dekraai as their suspect in the midday shooting at a Seal Beach beauty salon that left eight people dead; he was being held on suspicion of murder. Court records show he has been fighting his ex-wife Ð who colleagues said worked at the salon Ð for custody of their son since 2007. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Elaine Metz, of Long Beach pauses at the front door of Salon Meritage the morning after eight people were shot and killed at the salon. Metz said she was a former customer of the Seal Beach salon, where "Randy" cut her hair. She lit two candles at the door, paused in refection and hugged a nearby mourner. Metz said she was, "Feeling pretty empty, pretty unsafe." She also said, "I realize that this is just one sick person, but I feel unsafe. It could happen anywhere, but you can't keep second guessing things". BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Mike Newton talks to reporters about his neighbor Scott Dekraai and his family in Huntington Beach, Thursday morning, Oct. 13, 2011. "He seemed fairly friendly," said Newton. "I understand he has bipolar (disorder), somehow that does, I think, affect the mental perception in one's life." KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Elaine Metz, of Long Beach, left, hugs friend Mary Stearns outside Salon Meritage the morning after eight people were shot and killed at the salon. Metz said she and Stearns were customers of the Seal Beach salon, where "Randy" cut her hair. She lit two candles at the door, paused in refection and hugged a nearby mourner. Metz said she was, "Feeling pretty empty, pretty unsafe." She also said, "I realize that this is just one sick person, but I feel unsafe. It could happen anywhere, but you can't keep second guessing things". BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Mike Newton pauses a moment as he talks to reporters about his neighbor Scott Dekraai and his family in Huntington Beach, Thursday morning, Oct. 13, 2011. "He seemed fairly friendly," said Newton. "I understand he has bipolar (disorder), somehow that does, I think, affect the mental perception in one's life." KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A woman brings flowers and a handwritten poem to leave at the front door of Salon Meritage the day after eight people were gunned down inside the hair and nail salon. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Mark Rivera talks to reporters about his neighbor Scott Dekraai and his family in Huntington Beach, Thursday morning, Oct. 13, 2011. Rivera lives across the street. "My heart really goes out to his son," said Rivera. "cause he's a really cute little boy. I'm just thinking, I don't know what's going to happen to him from this point forward." KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A bouquet of hibiscus flowers and a handwritten poem, entitled "The Day After" was left by a woman early Thursday morning at the front door of Salon Meritage, Seal Beach. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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An Orange County Coroner communicates with crime scene investigators at the front door of Salon Meritage Wednesday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Mark Rivera talks to reporters about his neighbor Scott Dekraai and his family in Huntington Beach, Thursday morning, Oct. 13, 2011. Rivera lives across the street. "My heart really goes out to his son," said Rivera. "cause he's a really cute little boy. I'm just thinking, I don't know what's going to happen to him from this point forward." KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A sidewalk memorial was created on 5th Street in Seal Beach wednesday night when Salon Meritage was still cordoned off with police tape, following the shootings that killed eight people and critical wounded a ninth. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A sidewalk memorial was created on 5th Street in Seal Beach wednesday night when Salon Meritage was still cordoned off with police tape, following the shootings that killed eight people and critical wounded a ninth. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A neighbor walking her dog just before dawn Thursday, pauses to view a sidewalk memorial near Salon Meritage. The memorial was created by mourners on 5th Street in Seal Beach Wednesday night when Salon Meritage was still cordoned off with police tape. Wednesday afternoon a man reportedly shot and killed eight people and critical wounded a ninth at the salon. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Flowers were left leaned against a fire hydrant in 5th Street in reaction to the worst massacre in Orange County history, eight people killed and one critically injured at Salon Meritage in Seal Beach. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A neighbor walking her dog just before dawn Thursday, pauses to view a sidewalk memorial near Salon Meritage. The memorial was created by mourners on 5th Street in Seal Beach Wednesday night when Salon Meritage was still cordoned off with police tape. Wednesday afternoon a man reportedly shot and killed eight people and critical wounded a ninth at the salon. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Seal Beach Police Department Sgt. Steve Bowles, center, has been the voice for the Seal Beach Police Department in response to the massacre of eight people at Salon Meritage. Here he conducts an interview outside the salon early Thursday morning. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A Seal Beach police officer walks away after checking to see if the door to Salon Mertiage was locked Thursday morning. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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An grieving couple walks away from Salon Meritage on Thursday morning. Many residents and friends of the salon's owners and employees brought flowers, notes and candles to the salon's front door. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Early Thursday morning, a mourner left a flower on the front mat of Salon Meritage. The deadliest shooting in Orange County history unfolded Wednesday afternoon in a crowded Seal Beach beauty salon when a lone gunman opened fire, leaving eight dead and one critically injured.Hours later, Seal Beach police searched a home in Huntington Beach in connection with the case. Property records show the home is owned by Scott Dekraai, a one-time tugboat crewman who neighbors said was a devoted father to his young son. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Mark Zerby, of Long Beach, brings a dozens red roses to place at the front door of Salon Meritage the morning after 8 people were massacred there by a lone gunman. Zerby, who's 35-year-old son, Douglas Zerby, was shot by Long Beach police last year, says he just wanted to pay his respects share his grief with the people of Seal Beach. Zerby said he and his son had spent a lot of fun times on Seal Beach and he could relate to what the families of the slain are going through. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Roses left at a sidewalk memorial for the victims of the massacre at Salon Meritage were dotted with dew early Thursday morning. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A mourner left flowers with the message "With Heart Felt Sadness" written on them near Salon Meritage, in Seal Beach. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Thursday morning, a man pauses to contemplate after leaving a bouquet of flowers at the front door o Salon Meritage in Seal Beach. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The day after eight people were killed and a ninth was critically wounded, a poem was tacked to the front door of Salon Meritage. It reads, " 8 Souls - Earth has 8 less. Heaven has 8 more. God comfort their souls. As they walk through your door. It is all so tragic. Help us understand. How something so terrible. Can be in your plan. So I will pray for their families. Knowing the 8 are with you. My faith is unwaivered. My soul you will have too." The poem was signed by Wendy H. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A woman, who identified herself as a friend of the man shot in the parking lot outside Salon Meritage, brings flowers and a prayer candle to the front door of the salon on Thursday morning. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A woman, who identified herself as a friend of the man shot in the parking lot outside Salon Meritage, pauses after leaving flowers and a prayer candle to the front door of the salon on Thursday morning. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A woman, who identified herself as a friend of the man shot in the parking lot outside Salon Meritage, is surrounded by media in the parking lot Thursday morning. She had come to leave flowers and a candle at the front door and was surrounded as she left. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The day after eight people were killed and a ninth was critically wounded, a poem was tacked to the front door of Salon Meritage. It reads, " 8 Souls - Earth has 8 less. Heaven has 8 more. God comfort their souls. As they walk through your door. It is all so tragic. Help us understand. How something so terrible. Can be in your plan. So I will pray for their families. Knowing the 8 are with you. My faith is unwaivered. My soul you will have too." The poem was signed by Wendy H. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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SEAL BEACH – The deadliest shooting in Orange County history unfolded Wednesday afternoon in a crowded Seal Beach beauty salon when a lone gunman opened fire, leaving eight dead and one critically injured.

Hours later, Seal Beach police searched a home in Huntington Beach in connection with the case. Property records show the home is owned by Scott Dekraai, a one-time tugboat crewman who neighbors said was a devoted father to his young son.

Police confirmed after 11 p.m. Wednesday that Dekraai had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Coworkers and customers of those killed speculated that the gunman may have been motivated by a long-running and bitter custody dispute with one of the stylists at Salon Meritage. Court records show that Dekraai has been involved in a divorce and custody case since 2007 and was in court for a hearing on Tuesday.

His ex-wife's attorney said Dekraai was seeking full custody of their son, but a court-ordered review had recommended against that. The attorney, John Cate Jr., said Tuesday's hearing was "benign," a scheduling meeting. "Obviously, I saw no indication," he said.

Police refused to name the victims, the suspect, comment much on his motive or confirm whether he had any ties to the salon. They took the middle-aged man into custody minutes after the gunfire, and blocks from the salon.

They reported finding multiple weapons of unknown caliber and type in his truck.

"We feel very confident we have the single and only suspect," Seal Beach police Sgt. Steve Bowles said. "There may be something involved with someone in the salon."

Neighbors of the salon, in the 500 block of Pacific Coast Highway in downtown Seal Beach, reported hearing a volley of around 20 gunshots shortly before 1:30 p.m. "Boom. Boom. Boom," said Vic Sanchez, a construction worker who was across the street. "And then pa-pa-pa-pa."

Inside the salon, a woman who gave her name only as Cindy – saying she was too shaken to use her full name -- was having her hair colored when the gunman entered. She said he approached a female stylist and fired. Cindy thought it was a Halloween prank.

Then the man shot a female customer whose hair was being shampooed before turning and shooting the salon owner, Randy Fannin, who was coloring Cindy's hair. She said she ran into the restroom of a business next door, closed the door, turned out the light, and listened to more gunshots.

"I just kept hearing boom, boom, boom, boom," Cindy said. "I ran out. I didn't see his face. I just saw the gun in his hand and him shoot (everybody)."

One of the victims was apparently shot in his car, outside the salon, according to witness accounts. They pointed to what appeared to be a Land Rover left in the parking lot, and said they saw paramedics pull a heavy-set man from the driver's seat with a wound to his head.

"It looked like he was moving a little bit," said Terry Tassano, who was working nearby and saw paramedics take the man. "I don't know. I've never seen anyone shot before."

Police said every chair at the salon was occupied when the shooting started. Six people were declared dead at the scene, five women and one man. Two others, a man and woman, died of their wounds at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. A ninth victim, a woman, was in critical condition late Wednesday.

Bowles said an officer saw a man who matched a description of the gunman leave the parking lot, and followed him. The suspect was taken into custody moments later without incident, he said. He was taken to the Seal Beach jail for questioning, Bowles said.

Before Wednesday, the county's worst massacre was in 1976, when Edward Charles Allaway shot nine people at Cal State Fullerton, leaving seven dead.

The families of those killed in the salon gathered Wednesday afternoon at the Mary Wilson Library, two blocks from the crime scene. Friends, neighbors and hair stylists from other salons also gathered to share the news and console each other.

"It's a solid community," said Kim Criswell, who owns the Criswell Signature Salon in the same center as the Salon Meritage, and who said she heard two gunshots in the parking lot. "We know each other and if you work in Seal Beach you know each other."

Seal Beach is one of Orange County's smallest and safest cities, a sleepy seaside town of 25,000 residents. Before Wednesday, there had been four homicides there in the past ten years, the most recent in 2010.

"This could be one of our greatest tragedies," Bowles said, "and it has had a huge impact on our small community."

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